By Ikenna Aniagboso

“THE starting point of all achievement is desire.’’ These words etched in print by Napoleon Hill, resonated lucidly as the award winning ‘Golden Girls’ were given grand reception at the Banquet Hall, Governor’s Lodge on Aug. 27, by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra.

The six girls from Regina Pacis Secondary School, Onitsha and their mentor/coach, Mrs Uche Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu had beaten competitors from all other parts of the world to win the Technovation Challenge in Silicon Valley, U.S.

They achieved the great feat by developing an application capable of detecting fake pharmaceutical drugs in Nigeria. They named the app `F-Detector’.

The purpose for such an outstanding creation was not just to win competition; rather it was borne out of a desire to curb the menace of fake and substandard drugs.

“This will further frustrate those behind the manufacture, importation and peddling of fake and substandard drugs in the country,’’ Dr Joe Akabuike, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, said.

Evidently, this is the direct result of hard-work and great sacrifice and a clear offshoot of the philosophy and achievements of Obiano in Anambra.

The governor, who is passionate about quality education and youth entrepreneurship, recently donated about N300m to mission schools in Anambra State.

He had also provided adequate motivation and the needed incentives to inspire teachers and workers to always give off their best.

Gov. Obiano ensures consistency in payment of salaries of workers in the state. Those who teach in hard-to-access areas of the state, receive enhanced salary packages – a quarter of their basic salaries as incentives.

Anambra State Government in a bid to enhancing the commuting of teachers in difficult-to-reach areas provided 26 speed boats and two water ambulances.

The government also commenced the provision of accommodations in the hinterlands to house teachers free of charge.

This is aimed at ameliorating difficulties faced by the teachers as this will keep them closer to their pupils.

The fencing of all public schools in Anambra has also commenced; starting with girls’ boarding schools, the fencing has been aimed at ensuring adequate protection of female boarding students. This will also keep the learning environment safe.

The free education policy in all public schools is real and enforced in Anambra as the governor reiterated that all primary and secondary students do `not have to pay a single kobo to go to school’.

Not less than 60 secondary schools had their laboratories refurbished and re-equipped by the state government over the last four years.

The building, renovation and equipping of schools in the state has left students with no choice than to excel in their internal and external examinations.

Mentor/Coach of the golden girls, Mrs Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu was made the pioneer leader of the creative economic council by the governor, when she and other members of the Obama Leadership Forum returned from South Africa after making Anambra proud as indigenous members of the forum.

Doubtless, it was from this strong foundation that this resounding feat was achieved.

The achievements of the Golden Girls are clear indications of the committed and dedicated efforts, detailed planning and capital investment in the lives of the younger generation by the Anambra State Government.

This is largely underscored again, by the words of Napoleon Hill: “Great achievement is usually born out of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness’’.

Rewarding the Golden girls at the event on Aug. 27, Gov. Obiano donated a million naira to each of the six students, while their mentor received N2m.

The Governor also gave N2m to the principal of Regina Pacis Model Secondary School as inducement to propel him to produce more of such bright talents.

Remarkably, the occasion coincided with the 27th Anniversary Celebration of the creation of Anambra State on Aug. 27, 1991.

It was also an ideal moment for Gov. Obiano to announce award of scholarships to the Golden Girls up to university level.

“Truly, success comes to those, who deserve it: this is the story of Anambra state,’’ remarked Mr Tony Nezianya, Special Assistant to Governor of Anambra on Media.

The Golden Governor, through his efforts has bequeathed to Ndi Anambra, a Golden state. The Golden Girls are the latest chapter in this remarkable journey of a state looking into the future with great hopes.

* Aniagboso is senior special assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Communications

– Aug. 29, 2018 @ 17:10 GMT |